Koyasan Danjogaran Middle Gate Hinoki Star [Powerswood]

Koyasan Danjogaran Chumon Hinoki Myojo

◆Star...
This is a limited edition item made from the same sacred wood that was used for the middle gate, which was built to commemorate the 1,200th anniversary of the founding of Mount Koya.
It is said that when Kobo Daishi attained enlightenment, a star (an incarnation of the Bodhisattva Kokuzo) flew into his mouth.
The cypress bead was also named Myojo (star) because it has a beauty similar to that of the planet Venus, also known as Myojo.
◆Central gate...
The Chumon Gate is a five-bay, two-story tower gate that stands on a lower level just in front of the Kondo Hall.
It was erected at the entrance to the Danjo Garan, which is said to have been the first thing that Kobo Daishi began to construct when Mount Koya was founded, and has since been burned down and rebuilt many times over its long history.
The eighth reconstruction was completed 172 years after it was burned down in 1843.
The completed inner gate was unveiled at the grand ceremony commemorating the 1,200th anniversary of the founding of Mount Koya.
On either side of the middle gate are two statues, Jikokuten and Tamonten, which were carried out during the great fire and escaped the fire, but have been enshrined here again after a long time.
◆The "cypress" of Mount Koya...
Since ancient times, six types of coniferous trees have been cultivated on Mount Koya: cedar, cypress, fir, Japanese larch, red pine, and Japanese cypress.
Because they are used in temple construction, felling is restricted, and these trees are carefully protected and cultivated as the Takano Rokki, and are used in the reconstruction of temple buildings.

It is the same wood that was used to build the Chumon (the entrance to Mt. Koya) build for the 1200th anniversary of Mt Koya foundations.
This type of wood is limited in amount and very valuable.
It is said that when Kobo Daishi attained enlightenment, the Myojo or (Morning star-Venus- Akasagarbda, one of the eight great bodhisattvas of Buddhism religion) dove into his mouth.
This tree was named Myosei (The reading of Japanese Kanji 'Myosei') because of the beauty of this cypress is as beautiful as Venus, which is called Myosei in Japanese.
For the commemoration of the 1200th anniversary for the opening of Mount Koya, the gate burned down on 1843 was rebuilt of the first time in 172 years.
The new Nakamon gate was designed based on the architectural style of the Kamakura period.
It is 25m east-west, 15m north-south and 16m high.